Electrically-operated track switch



April 20 1926. 1,5811611 S. S. STOLP ELECTRICALLY OPERATED TRACK SWITCH Filed Dec. 15 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 April 20 1926. 1 1,581,611 S. S. STOLP I 1 ELECTRIGALLY OPERATED TRACK swnca Filed Dec. 15, 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 1 91mm I Gym/51. 6. 6701.

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entree PATENT @FFECE.

SAMUEL S. STOLP, OF MANSFIELD, OHIO, ASSIGNDB TO THE OHIO BRASS COMPANY, 01? MANSFIELD, OHIO, A CORPOBATIGN 9F NEW" JERSEY.

ELECTRICALLY-OPERA'IED TRACK SWITCH.

Application filed December 15, 1923. Serial No. 880,961

To all 10h am it may concern:

Be it known that I, SAMUEL S. S'roLr, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Mansfield, in the county of Richland and State of Ohio, have invented cer tain new and useful Improvements in an lElectrically-Operated Track Switch, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to electrically oper- 2: ed track switches operated automatically from the car.

One object of my invention is to produce a system which works power on or power oii the system as hereinat'ter described.

Another object of my invention is to provide a'system which will maintain current to the t. .tck switch operating mechanism for a predetermined time.

Another object of my invention is to provide a system in which independent cooperating means is employed in controlling the direction of operation. of the track switch.

Another object of my invention is to provide a system in which a second operation of the track switch is prevented while a car is in operative relation with-the system.

lily invention resides in the new and'novel construction. combination and arrangement ot the various parts and circuits hereinafter described and set forth in the accompanying drawings In the drawings accompanying my speciiication:

F l is a schematic drawing showing the general arrangement of circuits usually found in an electrically operated car and which are taken account of in the operation of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a schematic drawing showing the arrangement of the parts and circuits when the system is in a normal condition. Under such circumstances, however, the switch tongue may be in either oi? its operable positions.

l ig. 3 a schematic drawing showing the arrangement of the various parts and circuits at the instant the system has been set in operation by the car, operating power Off Fig. i is aschematic drawing showing the arrangement of the various parts and circuits after the car has cooperated with the system for a predetermined length of time with power off.

Fig. 5 is a schematic drawing showing the arrangement of the various parts and circuits of my invention the instant the system has been; set in operation by the car operat ing power on andtor a predetermined.

length ottime thereafter. 7

lufy invention is intended primarily for use with those cars which are operated by means oft an overhead trolley wheel or current collector mounted on the car by means of a trolley pole T although it may be operated by cars in which current is supplied thereto by other methods. Most cars are equipped with heaters l-L-lights L and an air compressor F which are connected between the trolley pole and the ground. The

cars are also equipped with motors M and a controllcr'C therefor. which is under the control of the car operator. When the controller is closed current will flow through the motors M and this position I term power on and when the controller is open, no current will flow through the motors and this position I term power oiii. The coir troller C does not in any way control the current tlowlng through the apparatus H, L

and F and which might be termed the anxi iary car current. The current flowing through the motors flows to ground G. I

have arrai'iged the system herein described so that the track switch will be operated to the straight ahead position when the collector W engages the system with power oii and the track switch will be thrown to the curve position when the collector engages the systen'i with power on. This operation of the track switch, however, may be reversed by merely reversing the connection to the track switch operating mechanism, which change is one which would be evident to those skilled in the art.

In the system shown in Fig. 2, the numeral 1 represents a trolley wire or conductor. Positioned adjacent to the trolley conductor is a pan P provided with two contact members 2 and 3 which are usually parallel and normallyinsulated from each other. The memher 2 is electrically connected to the trolley conductor at all times, but the member 3 is normally insulated therefrom but is electrically connected thereto when the collector lV engages the pan P. The contact members 2 and 3 are so related to the trolley conductor that when the collector engages the contact members it will be out of engagement with the trolley conductor and remain so until it is about to pass out of engagement with the pan. Such arrangement of the contact members and conductor is well known to those skilled in the art.

I also employ an electrically operated track switch S provided with two solenoids 4 and 5 each having a connection to the ground through the common conductor 6. The solenoids are provided with a reciprocating core T which is drawn inwardly when the solenoid is energized and is drawn outwardly when the solenoid 5 is energized. The core 7 is connected to the switch tongue 8 by means of the rod 9 I also employ an electrically operated and normally open switch A provided with operating coils 10 and 11 and a switch arm 12, the coils being connected to oppose each other when energized as indicated by the arrows thereon. The coils l0 and 11 are mounted on a magnetic core. which is also true of the other switch coil later referred to although a moving plunger may be substituted for the magnetic core, as is well known in the art. One terminal of each coil 10 and 11 is con nected to the contact member 2 by the common conductor 38, while the remaining terminals of the coils 10 and 11 are connected to the trolley conductor 1. The other connection for the coil. 10 is the conductor 13 whichruns directly to the trolley conductor and the other connection for the coil 11 is the conductor 14, contact 15, switch arm 16 and conductors 17 and 18. The circuit composed of these last elements isconnected to the trolley conductor and normally open at the contact 15. he coil 10 is so proportioned that when the current collector engages the pan P with power oil such current as may flow through the coil A. to the pan and thence through the auxiliary car circuits will not produce sufficient ampere turns to move the arm 12, but if the engagement is made with power on a heavy flow of current will pass through the motors M which will primarily pass through the coil 10 and this will produce sutlicient ampere turns to pick up the arm 12.

It will be noted that the coil] llcannotbe energized until the switch arm 16 engages the contact as later described. Cooperating with the arm 12 is a contact member 19 connected to the solenoid 5 by the conductor 20. It will be noted that when the arm 12 engages the contact 19 that current can then ilow through the solenoid 5 as the switch arm 12 is connected to the trolley conductor 1 through the conductors 17, 21 and 22. I also employ a switch B which is provided ith two coils 23 and 2ft of equal energizing value, but connected for dilierential operation as indicated by the arrow thereon. One terminal of each coil 23 and 21 is connected to the conductor by means of the conductor 25 thereby providing a ground connection for these coils by way ot' the solenoid The remaining terminal of the coil 23 is connected to a contact member 26 by means of the conductor 27 and the remaining terminal of the coil 24 is connected to the contact member 3 by means of the conductors 28 and 29. The switch B is also provided with a switch arm 30 which is normally open, but when closed engages the contact31 which is connected to the solenoid l by the conductor The switch arm 30 is also connected to the trolley conductor 1 by means or the conductors l7, 2] and 33.

I also employ a switch C which is provided with a coil 34 having one connection 35 to the ground and another connection 36 which leads to the contact member 3 by way of the conductor 28. I prefer to so construct the switches A, B and C that they will be slow in release operation and I prefer to so construct the switch A that with power on application this switch will close before the others and B will close before C.

If the collector lV engages the pan P with power oil the contact members 2 and 3 will be electrically connected and or" the same potential as the trolley wire as the contact member 2 is electrically connected to the trolley conductor by way of the elements: 38, 10 and 13. As soon as the member 3 is electrically connected to the trolley conductor current will iiow through the coil 3-1 to ground thereby energizing the same and closing the switch arm upon its contacts. The switch A, however, will not be atl'ected with a power oil application. As soon as the contactmember 3 is energized with power oil' application the switch B will also be placed in operation in that the coil 2-l will be energized since it is connected to the contact member 3 and also has a ground provided by way of the solenoid 5. As soon as the solenoid 24 is energized it will close the switch arm 30 with its contact 31 and current is then free to flow from the trolley conductor 1 to the solenoid 4 by way oi the switch B. I

As soon as the switch C closes the coil 23 will be energized and will act in opposition to the coil 24 and after a lapse of time the arm 30 will drop. It is the intention, howT ever, that the time lag shall be sutlicient to provide ample time for the energization of the solenoid 4:. It is evident that the switch B will remain open as long as the switch C remains closed and that the switch C will remain closed as long as the contactor engages the pan P so that if the car should come to rest either power on or power off with the collector in engagement with the pan i, the switch C will remain closed, but the switch 13 will open after a predetermined time and will remain open thereby. preventing the burning out of the solenoid l.

As soon as the switch 0 closes the coil ll will be energized, but such energization to the extent of affecting the arm 12 will not take place unless the collector is in engagement with the pan P with power on, there fore, if the collector initially engages the pan P with power off and comes to rest in engagement with the pan P and when the operator throws his controller to power on to move his car, there will be provided two paths for the current, namely, through the coils 10 and 11 in place of one path only through the coil 10, and this division of current will. be in proportion to the resistance of the two circuits and is so proportioned as to permit enough current to flow through either coil to effect the arm 12.

If the current collector initially engages the pan with power on the coil 10 will be instantly energized and pick up the arm 12 .into engagement with the contact 19, and

this pick up, as already stated, is preferred to be in advance of the closing of the switch 1 in View of the parallel circuit provided through the coil 11. After the switch A has closed if the division of current through the coils 10 and 11 is equal the arm 12 will drop after a lapse of time as the coils oppose each other. As soon as the switch A closes, current flows from the trolley conductor, through the solenoid 5, energizing the same and moving the switch tongue to the curve position if it should be in the straight ahead position. If, however, the division of current through the coils 10 and 11 is made unequal by properly proportioning the ampere turns so that one coil, preferably 10, will have more energizing value than the other, then the coil 10 will have a holding value equal to the difference in the ampere turns between the coils and the arm 12 will be closed so long as the collector engages the pan with power on. This time application of the current to solenoid 5, however, will not be sufficient to cause thesolenoid to burn out. As soon as the switch A closes and which, as already stated, is preferred to he in advance of the closing of the switch B, the switch l3 cannot close for then the conductor 20 will be directly connected to the trolley conductor 1 and there will be no difference of potential across the terminals of the coils 23 or 2 therefore there will be no flow of current therethrough and the switch B will not close. I,

To sum up the operation of the system, if the operator desires to go straight ahead" he sets his controller to power off with the intention of coasting past the pan As soon as the collector engages the, pan P the switch C will be closed, likewise current will iiow through the coil 24: of the switch 13,

closing the same, all as shown in Fig. 8, and

as soon as the switch C IS'ClOSBCl the coil will be energized thereby placing the coils 28 and 24 in differential operation and after a lapse of time. the arm 30 will drop, but in the interval, current will be flowing through the switch B to the solenoid 4 thereby plac ing the track switch in the straight ahead position, all as shown in Fig. 4. Fig. 3 shows the parts at the instant the collector has engaged the pan P with. power off and F l shows the condition of the parts after the collector has engaged the pan for a pre determined time. If for any reason the car comes to rest after the said predetermined time with the collector in engagement with the pan, the relation of the parts will be as shown in Fig. 4, while such engagement takes place. When the car has passed beyond the pan the system will return to normal as shown in Fig. 2. hen the carstarts up from rest on the pan, the switch A will not be affected because the heavy currentwhich flows: through. the motors is divided between the coils l0 and 11 since the switch C is closed, and will not produce su'liicient ampere turns in either coil 10 or 11 to effect the arm 12 since the coils are connected to function in opposition.

All of the switches are provided with retarded release factors and this retardation may be brought about by various well known constructive principles in regard to such devices as a copper or brass sleeve about the core or coil of the magnet, as indicated by 37, or it may bebrought about by the spacing of the switch arms with respect to their cores when in a closed position, or a combination of these or by a dash-pot arrangement, etc, or the switches It and B may depend upon the differential action of their coils.

If the operator desires to take the curve he will turn his controller to power on with the intention of coasting over the pan P. When the collector engages the pan P with power on, the coil 10 will be energized and the switch A closed and also the switch C will immediately close following the closing of the switch A. As soon as the switch C closes the current will flow through the solenoid 5 and the core 7 will be drawn out and the tongue moved to the curve position as shown in Fig. 5. It is very unusual for acar to come. to rest with its collector in engagement with the pan if it starts made from those shown in the above disclosure and which will still fall within the scope of my invention.

1 claim:

1. A switch operating system comprising an electrically operated track switch, a trolley conductor, a contact pan to be engaged by a current collector, a branched clrcuit for conducting current to the track switch to operate the switch in the direction desired when the collector engages the pan with power on or power off, a control switch to control the branched circuit and having two operating coils, one coil to position the control switch to operate the track switch when the system is operating power on? and another coil opposing the first coil to prevent the control switch operating after an initial operation of power off.

2. A switch operating system comprising in combination, an electrically operated track switch, a contact pan to be engaged by a current collector, a normally open branched circuit to conduct current to the track switch to operate the track switch in the desired direction, a control switch to control the closing and opening of one of the branch circuits and provided with a closing coil operable when the system is working power on and a coil preventing the closing of the control switch it the system is initially working power off.

3. A switch operating system comprising in combination, an electrically operated track switch, a pan to be engaged by a current collector, a circuit to conduct current to the track switch, a control switch to control the circuit and having two operating coils, one arranged to be placed in series with the car motors when the collector engages the pan with power on and the other to be placed in series with the car motors after the collector engages the pan and opposing the action or the first coil to prevent a second operation of the track switch after the collector engages the pan with power oil 4. A switch operating system comprising in combination, an electrically operated track switch, a pan to be engaged by a cur-i rent collector, a circuit to conduct current to the track switch, a control switch to control the circuit and having two operating coils, one arranged to be placed in series with the car motors when the collector .engages'thepan with power ont'and the other to be placed inshunt with the first'coil after the collector, engages the pan and opposing the, action of the first coil to prevent a second operation of the track switch after the collector engages the pan with'power oil.

5. In a switchoperating system the combination of, a trolley conductor, an electrically operated track switch, a pan to be engaged by a current collector, a branched circuit leading to the track switch to operate the same in the direction desired, a control switch to control each branch circuit, one switch provided with operating coils connected between the conductor and the ground and having the car motors in series with said coils when the system is working power on and the other switch provided with operating coils connectedbetween the conductor and the ground and having the track switch operating means in series with said coils.

6. In a switch operating system the combination of, a trolley conductor, an electrically operated track switch, a pan to be en gaged by a current collector, a branched circuit leading to the track switch to operate the same in the direction desired, a control switch to control each branch circuit, one switch provided with opposing operating coils connected between the conductor and the ground and having the car motors in series with said coils when the system is working power on and the other switch provided with opposing operating coils connected between the conductor and the ground and having the track switch operating means in series with said coils when the system is working power oil.

7. In a switch operating system the combination of, an electrically operated track switch, a trolley conductor, a pan to be engaged by a current collector, a circuit to energize the truck switch, a control switch for said circuit, an operating coil for the control switch connected between the conductor and the pan, a second coil for said control switch connected between the conductor and the pan and air-electrically controlled switch for controlling the second coil.

8. In a switch operating system the combination of, an electrically operated track switch, a trolley conductor, a pan to be en gaged by a current collector, a circuit to energize the track switch, a control switch for i said circuit, an operating coil for the control switch connected between the conductor and the pan, a second coil for said control switch connected between the conductor and the pan and an electrically controlled switch to complete the circuit of the last said coil after the collector engages the pan.

'9. In a switch operating system the combination of, a trolley conductor, an electri cally operated track switch, a pan to be engaged. by. a current collector, a branched circuit leading to the track switch to operate the same inthe direction desired, a con trol switch to control each branch circuit, one switch provided with operating coils connected between the conductor and the ground and having the car motors'in series with said coils whenthe collector engages the pan Wltl). the system working power on and the other switch provided with operating coils connected between the conductor and the ground when the collector engages the pan.

10. In a switch operating system the combination of, an electrically operated track switch, a trolley conductor, a pan to be en-- gaged by a current collector, a normally open circuit to energize the track switch, a control switch to close said circuit, an operating coil tor the control switch connected between the conductor and the pan, a second coil for said control switch connected between the conductor and the pan and an electrically controlled switch for controlling the second coil.

11. In a switch operating system the combination of, an electrically operated track switch, a trolley conductor, a pan to be engaged by a current collector, a normally open circuit to energizethe track switch, a control switch to close said circuit, an operating coil for the control switch connected between the conductor and the pan, a second coil for said control switch acting in op 3o-v sition to said first coil and connected etween the conductor and the pan and an electrically controlled switch for controlling the second coil.

12. In a switch operating system the combination of, an electrically operated track switch, a trolley conductor, a pan to be engaged by a current collector, a circuit to energize the track switch, a control switch for said circuit, an operating coil tor the control switch connected between the conductor and the pan, a second coil for said control switch connected between the conductor and the pan, a control switch for controlling the second coil, and a coil for operating the last said switch and deriving its current from the pan.

18. In a switch operating system the combination of, an electrically operated track switch, a trolley conductor, a pan to be en gaged by a current collector, a circuit to energize the track switch, a control switch for said circuit, an operating coil for the control switch operating with power on the system, a second operating coil for said control switch to oppose the actionof the first coil to prevent a second operation of the track switch, and an electrically operated switch to control the energization of the second coil after the collector has engaged the pan.

14. A switch operating system comprising in combination, an electrically operated track switch, electrical circuits leading to the track switch, a switch controlling one of the circuits and provided with a coil to close the switch and circuit with power on the system and a coil to oppose the action of the first coil when the system is-working power off, a switch controlling another of the circuits and provided with a coil to close the switch and circuit when the system is working power off and a coil to oppose the action of the said coil after a predetermined time to open said switch.

15, A switch operating system adapted to work power on or power oli the system comprising in combination, a branched operating circuit to operate the track switch to either of its operable positions, a'control switch to close the power on branch circuit and a coil to operate the switch when the system is working power on, and a coil to act in diiierential to the first coil to prevent the control switch closing when the system is working power off.

16. A switch operating system comprising in combination, an electrically operated track switch, a pan to beengaged by a current collector, a circuit to conduct current to the track switch, a control switch to control the circuit and having two operating coils, one arranged to be placed in series with the car motors when the collector engages the pan with power on and the other connected to counteract the energizingefi'ect of the first coil after the collector engages the pan with power oii. 1

I 17. A switchoperating system comprising in combination, an electrically operated track switch, a pan to be engaged by a current collector, a circuit to conduct current to the track switch, a control switch to control the circuit and having two operating coils, one arranged to he placed in series with the car motors when the collector engages the pan with power on and the other con-- nected to counteract the energizing effect of the first coil after the collector engages the pan with power off and means to control the energizing of the second coil.

18. In a switch operating system the combination of, an electrically operated track switch, electric circuits leading to the track switch to operate the same in the direction desired, a switch to control one circuit when the system works power oil, operating means therefor, another switch to control the other circuit and to prevent the operation of the first switch when the system workspower on and provided with means to prevent a. second operation of the: track switch when the system initially works, power oft.

19. In a switch operating system the combination of, ani'el'ectrically operated track switch, electric circuits leading; to the track switch to operate the samein the direction desired, a switch to control one circuit when the system works power off, operating means therefor, another switch to control the other circuit and to prevent the opera tion of the first switch when the system works power on.

20. In a switch operating system the combination of, an electrically operated track switch, electric circuits leading to the track switch to operate the same in the direction desired, a switch to control one circuit when the system works power off, operating means there-tor, another switch to control the other circuit and a switch to control simultaneously the operation of both the above control switches to open one switch and prevent the closing of the other switch.

21. In a switch operating system the combination of, anelectrically'operated track switch, electric circuits leading to the track switch to operate the same inthedirection desired, a switch to control one circuit when the system works power off, operating means therefor, another switch tocontrol the other circuit and to prevent the operationof the first switch when the system works power on and provided with means to prevent a second operation of the'track switch when the system initially avorks power'oft, and to maintain said control switch closed while the system is operating with power on. y i 1 92. A switch operating system comprising in combination, an electrically operated track switch, operating circuits leading to the track switch to operate the switch to its operable positions, electrically operated control switches for said circuits to control the direction of movement of the track switch, and an electrically operated switch to control the operation of the above control switches and operated by the current collector in a moving car to prevent the closing of either switch atter a predetermined length or" time.

23. A switch operating system comprising in combination, an electrically operated track switch, operating circuits leading to the track switch to operate the switch to its operable positions, electrically operated control switches for said circuits .to control the direction of movement of the track switch,

and anelectrically operated switch to control the operation of the above control switches to prevent one switch closing while the other switch is closed.

Qt-In a-switchoperating system the combination of, an electrically operatedtrack switch, circuitsrleading to the track switch, an electrically operated control switch for each circuit to close each circuit independent of the other circuit and means controlled by one switch when closed to prevent the closing, of the other switch by short circuiting the operating means of the said other switch.

25. In a switch operating system the combination of, an electrically operated track switch, circuits leading to the track switch, a control switch for each circuit, means to prevent the closing of one switch when the other switch is closed by short circuiting the operating means of said other switch and means to prevent the closing of the first switch while the second switch is closed, all to operate the track switch to the desired position and to prevent a second operation of the track switch.

26. In a switch operating system the com,- bination of, an electrically operated track switch, circuits leading to the track switch for separate operation, a control switch in each circuit to close the circuit depending whether the system works power on ,or power off and to hold the circuit closed for a predetermined time and means to maintain the control switches inoperative after their initial closing and opening to prevent .a second operation of the system.

27. A switch operating system comprising, a trolley conductor, a pan to be engaged by a current collector with power on or power off the motors and having two contact members, a track switch S having electrical operating means to move the switch to the desired position, a normally open switch B to control a circuit leading to the track switch and provided with electrical operating means to close the switch when the collector engages the pan with power off and provided with means to open the I switch after a predetermined time, a normally open switch A to control a circuit leading to the track switch and provided with electrical operating means to close the switch when the collector engages the pan with power on and provided with means to prevent the closing of the switch while the switch B is closed the said switch also operating to prevent the closing of the switch B when the collector engages the pan ini tially with power on, an electrically oporatedswitch to close circuits controlling the opening means for the switch B and the means preventing the closing of switch A after the collector engages the pan and circuits connecting the above parts for operation of the system as described. i

, 28. In a switch operating system the com bination of, an electrically operated track switch provided with circuits leading thereto to operate the switch in either of its operable positions, the circuits separately onergized, depending upon a moving car operating with power on or power ofi the motors, and a control switch in the circuit controlled by power on the motors to close thesame, means to operate the switch to closed position and means to open the switch after a predetermined time of application of current with power on the motors.

In a switch operating system working with power on or power otl the motors, the combination of, an electrically operated track switch a pan to be engaged by a current collector, circuits leading to the track switch, a control switch operating with power on the motors to close one of 10 the circuits, electrically operated means to close the switch with power on, means to prevent the operation ofthe control switch to close the said circuit when the other circuit is closed by clepriving'the operating means of suilieient current to operate it ancl simultaneously neutralize wholly or partially the effect of the remaining current therein.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

SAMUEL S. STOLP. 

